Suggested changes to how allotments are managed throughout the borough will be discussed at cabinet on Monday 17 November.
Proposed changes include the new allotment tenancy agreement, which has been modernised and updated to reflect changes and issues arising since the original agreement was drawn up. There are sections to cover payment periods, acceptable behaviour, clarifying what is and is not acceptable to bring to site, waste disposal and animal welfare. These were not included in the current document. There are stricter measures to combat anti-social behaviour that will make the allotment experience more pleasant for tenants.
If the paper is approved, plot rents will also increase whilst still keeping them at a manageable cost and in line with other boroughs in the area. At present, many plots are not in use despite being paid for, as the annual cost is very low, so there is little incentive to maintain or use them. This creates unsightly allotments that aren’t maintained.
Increasing costs may make tenants who do not visit regularly think again about giving the plot back so it can be reallocated to someone else. This will help reduce the current waiting list of more than 1,500.
Issues such as the cost of supplying water to the sites need to be addressed and this will entail a small cost to each tenant for this, on top of the annual rent. It is also planned to recategorise plots into fewer sizes than the current 39 sizes to streamline administration and speeding up reallocation of vacant plots to new tenants.
The council will continue to allocate a certain number of free community plots, to schools, charities and community groups. The council will create and engage with a new tenants’ forum.
Cllr Manku, cabinet member for environment and environmental services said: “Allotments give people the opportunity to be out in the fresh air, creating their own space and reaping the rewards as things grow. We want more people to be able to enjoy them. These proposed changes will improve the experience of renting an allotment in the borough. In particular, the allotment tenancy agreement which will combat anti-social behaviour such as fly-tipping.”